Aggressive Nationalism
The Meiji constitution featured a limited franchise and established a Diet with restricted powers, adopting the German term for parliament due to German legal influence. The leaders of the imperial restoration retained power and even formed political parties. From 1918 to 1931, prime ministers were elected by the public and formed cabinets, but later lost authority to national unity cabinets spanning party lines.
The emperor held command over the military, with a 1890 interpretation granting independent control to the army and navy. In 1899, only serving generals and admirals were allowed to become ministers, strengthening the military’s influence. This military buildup, coupled with Japan’s colonial expansion, stemmed from fears of Western dominance, which were exploited to suppress opposition to military expansion and higher taxation for defense spending.
Paths to Modernisation Chapter 7 | Class 11 History Notes
Paths to Modernisation | Class 11 History: Paths to Modernisation | Class 11 History throws light on how two major countries in the Asian region Japan, China, and Korea have evolved over the years. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, countries like Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea became independent and modern nations.
In this article, we have talked about the Paths of Modernisation adopted by countries like Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea, Political Systems, the Meiji Restoration and Reforms, Japan’s re-emergence as a Global economic power, China, the Rise of the Communist Party of China, a new democracy being established, Reforms of 1978 Deng Xiaoping, and the Evolution of Korea and Taiwan.